Taking great pride in its history and heritage, Selma is a charming and hospitable city that played an important role during the Civil War, the Civil Rights Movement, and the Voting Rights Movement of America. The tradition and culture you’ll come across in this riverside town is evident in the streets you’ll walk, the people you’ll meet, and the food you will eat while there.
Edmund Pettus Bridge
Listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, as well as a U.S. National Historic Landmark, the Edmund Pettus Bridge is an iconic structure in Selma. The bridge was built in 1940, but it wasn’t until 1965 that it became a symbol of change as voting rights marchers were met with violence by local law enforcement - resulting in what is now called ‘Bloody Sunday’’.
Less than a month later over 3,000 people, versus the initial 600, crossed the bridge and marched all the way to the capitol to demand voting rights; by the time they reached there, over 25,000 people had joined their cause.
This march, which initially had a terrible outcome on the Edmund Pettus Bridge, resulted in President Lyndon Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Selma to Montgomery
Selma to Montgomery is a national historic trail in Alabama which traces the march of non-violent supporters of equal voting rights led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The 54-mile trail starts in Selma and takes you through a journey which changed America’s history forever. The interpretive centers along the way will tell you the stories behind the people and events which made the march a success.
To make your journey easier, the trail is marked by distinctive signs and some of the sites that you’ll see along the way include the Alabama State Capitol and the Brown Chapel AME Church.
Old Cahawba Archaeological Park
Once a thriving antebellum river town, Cahawba served as Alabama’s state capital from 1819 to 1826. The Old Cahawba Archaeological Park is an attempt to uncover much of what nature has covered so that visitors can get a glimpse of the area’s historic past.
The interpretive park has been worked on by archaeologists and historians over the years to create a true-to-life exhibit of what it was once like to live there. Start your visit at the Visitor Center to get an idea of what is there to see and the best routes to hike through while uncovering the park’s past.
In addition to the many structures and moss-covered ruins, you’ll also be able to roam abandoned streets and take in the stunning flora of Cahawba.
9518 Cahaba Rd, Orrville, AL 36767, Phone: 334-872-8058
Sturdivant Hall Museum
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Sturdivant Hall Museum is the epitome of the South’s Golden Age. The Greek revival neo-classic antebellum mansion is one of the finest architectural pieces of its kind in the entire South. As you enter the magnificent structure, you’ll see six looming Corinthian columns, and upon further exploration you’ll come across the elegant imported Italian marble and various other aspects and fixtures that will take your breath away. A visit to the museum is an architecture aficionado's dream come true as you get a glimpse of how the Watts family lived with the mansion’s elaborate moldings, heart pine floors, high ceilings, and detailed marble fireplaces. A lot of the decor are originals from the house, as well as those that have been added by historians as time-appropriate pieces.
713 Mabry St, Selma, AL 36701
Paul M. Grist State Park
The 1,080-acre Paul M. Grist State Park is an outdoor haven for many residents and visitors of Selma, Alabama.
The main attraction of the park is the 100-acre lake which sits at its heart and provides visitors the opportunity to enjoy water activities such as paddling, fishing, and swimming. You can spend the day at one of the park’s many designated picnicking areas, complete with pavilions and barbecue grills, or go for a hike on the twenty miles of trails which lead out to the surrounding forest.
You’re sure to see a wide variety of flora and fauna at the park, which is a featured site on the Alabama Black Belt Birding Trail - wildlife you may come across include Eastern wild turkeys, White-tailed deer, waterfowl, and much more.
Other aspects include staying overnight in one of their modern campsites which can accommodate tents as well as RVs.
1546 Grist Rd, Valley Grande, AL 36701, Phone: 334-872-5846
Brown Chapel AME Church
A starting point for the historic Selma to Montgomery marches in 1965, and a meeting place for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference during the Selma Movement, the Brown Chapel AME Church still stands today for you to explore, take in, and better understand the role played by this amazing structure and the people within it. The church has since been added to the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage and was also declared a National Historic Landmark. With its imposing twin tours, the church was built in 1908 in Romanesque Revival. Though little is known of Mr. Farley, the church is extremely well-known for its contributions which shaped the United States.
410 Martin Luther King, Jr. Street, Selma, Alabama
Old Live Oak Cemetery
The Old Live Oak Cemetery was founded in 1829 and houses several famous burials as well as features connected to the Confederate States of America. The Confederate Circle, which includes the Confederate Soldier Monument and cannons, can be seen protecting hundreds of deceased confederate soldiers. Other monuments include the Pigeon House, the Elodie Todd Dawson monument, the Jefferson Davis Memorial Chair, and the Forrest Memorial, which is dedicated to Lt Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest.
The Coffee Shoppe
Start your day off with a great cup of coffee and a delicious bite to eat at The Coffee Shoppe. A local favorite, The Coffee Shoppe offers a great menu that is designed to help you energize and power up for your day. Choose offerings from their espresso creations, tuck into their bakery items, or sink your teeth into one of their panini sandwiches. Additionally, The Coffee Shoppe also offers salads and soups, blended drinks, and specialty coffee-based beverages. Popular on the specialty drinks menu are the Iced Glacier, Frozen Hot Chocolate, and Smoothie Sensations. Meanwhile, try classic crowd-pleasers like the Chicken Salad Croissant, and the Grilled Vegetable Medley, or make your sandwich from scratch with the Build Your Sandwich option.
308 Broad Street, Selma, Alabama 36701, Phone: 334-878-2739
